| Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in | | | | |
| the world, being exceeded in numbers only by | | | | 8 Laos 60% 3,730,284 |
| Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. It was | | | | |
| founded in Northern India by the first known | | | | 9 Vietnam 50% 41,767,788 |
| Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. In 535 BCE, he | | | | |
| attained enlightenment and assumed the title | | | | 10 Singapore 43% 1,880,931 |
| Lord Buddha (one who has awakened). | | | | |
| Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, now | | | | There are basically two type of Buddhism: |
| part of Nepal.Top 10 countries with the | | | | |
| highest percent of Buddhists. | | | | There are many different variations which |
| | | | have developed with little conflict. This has |
| | | | been because at its core is a philosophical |
| | | | system to which such additions can be easily |
| Rank Country % Buddhist | | | | grafted. |
| Population | | | | |
| | | | The main branches: |
| 1 Thailand 94% 61,517,708 | | | | |
| | | | Theravada or Hinayana - the Lesser Vehicle: |
| 2 Cambodia 93% 12,654,574 | | | | |
| | | | Hinayana is practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, |
| 3 Mongolia 93% 2,595,882 | | | | Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The Lesser |
| | | | Vehicle Buddhism is based on the teaching of |
| 4 Myanmar 90% 38,618,517 | | | | the Vinaya Pitaka. Vinaya Pitaka thought that |
| | | | Buddha was a man, a very special man, a very |
| 5 Bhutan 74% 1,651,895 | | | | special person but nevertheless human.The |
| | | | Theravada believes that there is no reality |
| 6 Japan 71% 90,466,243 | | | | corresponding to the concept of God that we |
| | | | can rely on for salvation. |
| 7 Sri Lanka 70% 14,045,343 | | | | |